Question about defamatory libel and call to non-emergency line?
Location: Canada, BC
Hello people, I am aware i've posted this to 4 other communites as well; many of them have not been very useful and just downvote bomb. I am just trying to get a proper answer as my brain works like that.
There was online libel and harassment of me. The libel in question was me being accused of being sexual towards minors, with edited messages of me talking to my adult friends on forums. I am more than willing for anyone to go through all of my devices. The people who were spreading this libel and continuously harassing me found my linkedin. At this point thinking out of irrationality I called the general inquiry line/ non-emergency (Not 9-1-1) of my local police department to see if this is consdiered criminal harassment. I told them about the libel in the following words, “people are saying and sending me stuff saying I was being sexual with minors countinously.” which the operator said; and they are correct that is something that is under civil code. Moreover, my thing does not meet the thresehold of criminal harassment; with the comments these people are making ebing under their freedom of expression (which is also likely certainly true).
I am wondering if I made a mistake to tell the police what libel I was facing and if this in itself will back fire on me such as launch an investigation against me etc... The reason I worry about this is because it can end up on my non-convictable record and block me from getting jobs. I am aware there is likely no other ave's to deal with this harassment as it does not fit the legal defination. I may lawyer up to go against these people when it comes to the libel. I do face severe anxiety thus the worst case senario in my head and this whole saga has defently taken a toll on my mental well-being. I just need some closer to move on with my life. I have already deleted all of my socials etc apart from this.
I belive an important note during this call is that my address or my name was not taken, but there is previous 9-1-1 calls I have made that just include my address, this was for an ambulance. (Once again I did not call 9-1-1 for this I called the non-emergency/ general inquiry line)
Another important note is the phone call was cut on their end and not mine after I was told off that people can say anything they want online which is true.
I am a relatvely young person so this whole thing has been a rollercoaster of emotions and is not healthy for me. I do dream to become a school teacher and the people targetting me also do know this. Other places on this app have not been helpful and to be honest the opposite.